Hasta La Gadget!

Color us intrigued. The gang at SuperSite for Windows have revealed what they know about a pretty awesome Windows 7 feature: XP Mode, a virtualized copy of Windows XP with Service Pack 3. It’ll reportedly be a free download for Professional and Ultimate Edition users, a shame it won’t be coming to all versions. Unlike many other Virtual PC options, the environment won’t require a separate workspace so you can run the individual apps as you would alongside those native to 7 — in the example pictured, that’s Word 2003 in XP mode next to Word 2007. It all sounds vaguely similar to the XP compatibility mode found in Vista, but if we’re understanding this right, XPM should make legacy compatibility much less of a hassle. We haven’t heard any reports of it being found in the leaked Release Candidate build, so if you’re antsy to get a glimpse now, hit up the read link for a gallery.

[Thanks, Axel]

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

Virtualized Windows XP coming to Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate users originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 19:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

It may only be a footnote in the long history of Windows XP, but Microsoft has confirmed today that, as planned, the venerable OS has finally and officially transitioned from the Mainstream Support phase to the Extended Support phase. This, of course, follows a number of extensions to the Mainstream Support phase (which normally only lasts five years), although most users likely won’t notice much of a difference as XP moves into this new, more wistful period of life, as they’ll still be getting regular security updates and occasional hotfixes (depending on their support plan) all the way until April 8th, 2014 — or who knows how much longer if the demand is there.

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

Windows XP transitions out of Mainstream Support phase originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

We’ve already covered the plethora of Windows 7 versions, starting with the gimpy Starter edition and then running all the way up to Ultimate (which, we can now confirm, will not include a bag of chips). Microsoft’s grand scheme is for users to start with what they need and pay to unlock additional functionality, upgrading their way to the top rung of the the Windows 7 ladder. But, it’s now coming to light that the company will also allow downgrades — not to simpler versions of Win 7, but to earlier operating systems like Vista and even XP. Yes, OEM manufacturers can still keep shipping XP Pro by “downgrading” Windows 7 machines through the end of April, 2010, and while HP is the only one advertising this, you can be sure they won’t be alone. Interestingly these machines will still come with free Windows 7 upgrades, hopefully enticing users to give it a shot, but if they don’t like it they are allowed to go back to XP on their own. Details for user-driven downgrades are a bit light at the moment, though, so don’t be surprised if it requires a little fdisk action.

[Thanks, Simon B.]

Read — Windows 7 will allow downgrades too at CNET
Read — Microsoft allows HP to wipe Windows 7 at AppleInsider
Read — Windows 7 upgrades for downgraders at Computer World

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

Microsoft hoping for Win 7 upgraders, reluctantly allowing downgraders originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Apr 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Given that REDFLY can’t sell its Mobile Companion for free-after-rebate, we’re not at all shocked by this move. If you’ll remember, we actually heard that Celio was looking to dabble in software back at CES, and now the company has selected CTIA to showcase its REDFLY Mobile Viewer. Available as a free download today in beta form, the Windows-only program essentially turns any PC into a Mobile Companion by blowing up smartphone applications on a bigger screen. The software works with all current REDFLY-compatible handsets, and it gives users the ability to surf their WinMo desktop at 800 x 480, 800 x 600, 1,024 x 600 or 1,024 x 768 resolution. We’re struggling to see how Celio is going to monetize this, but who knows, maybe it’s just in it for the fame.

Filed under: Cellphones, Displays

REDFLY Mobile Viewer removes the need for Mobile Companion originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Microsoft may be doing its best to move past Windows XP once and for all, but a Los Angeles woman is alleging that the company is all too happy to bank some extra change on the OS in the meantime, and that it’s essentially trying to have it both ways. As a result, she’s now suing Microsoft over its XP “downgrade” fees, and requesting that the lawsuit be granted class-action certification so others can get a piece of the action. Apparently, Emma Alvarado bought a Lenovo PC last June and had to pay an additional $59.25 to downgrade to XP, which she claims is simply a case of Microsoft taking advantage of consumer demand for XP to pad its profits. The suit further alleges that the seemingly endless extensions of the XP deadline were “likely due to the tremendous profits that Microsoft has reaped from its ‘downgrade’ option.” For Microsoft’s part, it insists that the company itself “does not have a downgrade program,” and that it doesn’t get any of the money from the Vista-to-XP downgrade options.

[Thanks, Cargojack]

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

Microsoft gets sued over Windows XP downgrade fees originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 14:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments